Executive summary

Ten years ago it would have been extremely difficult to
foresee the exponential growth and sweeping impact that the Internet has had on
every aspect of our lives. If we look forward another ten years we have to
accept that the Internet will continue to grow and change in ways that we
cannot even imagine. However, when we look at the past, at how it has shaped
the present, we begin to identify clear patterns that can instruct our
understanding of the future, and we can use these patterns to anticipate and
prepare. The most vivid of these patterns is the notion that technology is
driven by the needs of people. The domain name system is a perfect example of
this: people need and want a simple and secure way to interact with the world
around them. The Internet makes this possible and the domain name system makes
it accessible.

Up to this point, the domain name system has played a
crucial role in the growth of the World Wide Web and will continue to
facilitate the convergence of telecommunications and the Internet. If we
indulge ourselves for a moment and overlay what we have seen over the past ten
years onto what we are likely to see in the next ten, there are several
scenarios that seem imminent.

a.Every individual will want an online personal identity that
they will use from cradle to grave

b.Businesses will use authentication and verification in all of
their day-to-day transactions

c.Internet Protocol devices will be prolific and will be referenced
and accessed by name rather than by a number

d.Businesses and individuals will use their on line identity in
perpetuity

e.A plethora of new products and services will be invented to
service the specific needs of the on line community

In every one of these scenarios, the DNS is a core element.
The DNS as it stands, mapping IP addresses to names, is rudimentary and yet it
has served the community well. We can conceive of a time when the DNS will be
enhanced and expanded to map many different types of objects to each other. It
is this future, potential expansion of the DNS’ capabilities and services that
is at the heart of the JVTeam approach and proposal.

JVTeam Understands the Issues

The current program to introduce new top level domains into
a competitive, multiple registry environment represents a critical and exciting
next step for the online community. We arrived at this point through the tireless
efforts of many dedicated organizations and individuals who have strived to
build a stable and useful domain name system-- one that can meet the needs of
individuals and businesses. JVTeam wishes to build on the strengths of these
efforts by contributing responsibly and by providing the next generation domain
name registry.

Effective and responsible management of a new registry
requires an operator who understands the fluid, innovative environment of the
Internet and has substantial DNS experience. The registry operator must have
proven expertise and eminent credentials in managing a vital public resource
and the ability to facilitate discussion about standards development and
technical issues between competing parties. In order to cultivate the ongoing
development of the domain name system environment, the registry operator must
also be capable of and committed to providing a robust and scalable network
infrastructure.

While the technical component is critical, successful
management of a TLD registry requires much more. The registry must also have
the trust of its customers and the larger community. Therefore, the registry
operator must have a commitment to the security and privacy of customer
information and must be capable of operating as a neutral entity within a
highly competitive environment. In addition, the registry operator must have
proven, even-handed policy expertise to facilitate mechanisms for the
resolution of issues relating to disputes, intellectual property, standards and
privacy.

The critical factors
for success: Maintaining Stability and paving the way for the future introduction
of new TLDs.

JVTeam understands the critical nature of a stable domain
name system. It is essential that the DNS continues to grow as a globally
unique, consistent structure to maximize the utility and effectiveness of
domain names for the community. A registry operator must have the ability and
experience to provide a substantial, trans-continental network infrastructure
which can guarantee maximum performance and reliability as well as scale
seamlessly to meet volatile variations in demand. But stability encompasses
much more. It is also critical that the registry operator’s integrity remains
unquestioned in maintaining an environment of open and fair competition, in
providing a solution to the initial rush for domain names and in facilitating
even-handed, workable policy administration.

The introduction of new TLDs is without precedent and
because of the world’s increasing dependence on the DNS, it is imperative that
ICANN and the Internet community generally learn as much as possible from this
first round. It is just as important for the ongoing development of this
program that this first round is successful and in no way undermines the
stability of the DNS. In this context, the registry operator must be capable of
understanding the implications of all of its choices both in terms of ensuring
success and in understanding the instructional benefit of the results. The
registry operator must be committed not just to providing registration
services, but also to capturing information and sharing it unconditionally for
the benefit of the future release of top level domains.

The JVTeam Solution

JVTeam is a new company formed by NeuStar and Melbourne IT
to provide domain name registry services driven by customer focus,
technological innovation and proven channel management expertise. The JVTeam
registry will deliver the world’s most advanced domain name services in a
manner that reflects the character of its parent companies through a resolute
commitment to neutrality and integrity.

JVTeam fuses the DNS
management expertise, registry operations experience, and technical database
management capabilities of its parent companies to provide only the highest
quality registry services. The scope of these services goes beyond the current
boundaries and incorporates new features and abilities that will benefit end
users and will enable the participation and creativity of the online community
in further evolving the function and utility of the domain name system.

We have a demonstrated commitment to working cooperatively
and positively within the Internet community as a team player focused on
responsible management of a vital public resource. We have the technical and
registry expertise to develop and deploy a first-of-its-kind solution in a
fully open, non-proprietary environment. Our team has designed a technical and
operational plan that will satisfy and exceed all of the requirements
stipulated in the Request For Proposal (RFP). More importantly we have a team
of eminently qualified, skilled and talented individuals who are not only
capable of delivering the solution but are passionate about its success.

But JVTeam’s commitment to success is
much more than words. Throughout this proposal you will find explicit detail as
demonstrating that JVTeam has the resources, the people and the will to ensure
the success of the new TLD.

XRP and the Fat Registry Model

JVTeam has an intimate knowledge of the current
registry-registrar model and has identified several existing problems and opportunities.
JVTeam considered several approaches including modifying the current RRP and
maintaining a thin registry. After intensive exploration of these issues our
technical, business and policy teams agreed that the solution which would most
benefit the Internet community and meet the requirements identified by ICANN
would be the adoption of a new registry-registrar protocol, eXtensible Registry
Protocol (XRP) and migration to a fat registry. The benefits of this solution
cannot be overstated. The proposed XRP will enable enhanced diversity and
functionality for any TLD for which the registry provides services, remove the
need for each registrar to provide ICANN with escrow capability, provide registrants
with access to better, faster and more secure domain name services and
significantly reduce the technical barrier to entry for new registrars enabling
increased competition.

JVTeam is convinced that from all perspectives, the XRP and
the fat registry model will ensure the stability of the Internet, provide
higher standards of service and functionality for registrants, enhance the
utility of the DNS, maximize the potential for competition andprovide the way forward for the future
introduction of new top level domains.

Pricing

JVTeam expended significant effort in finding the right
balance between the cost of our proposed solution and maintaining a competitive
price point for the new TLD. We believe that our proposal represents the best
and only solution in balancing a considerable investment in infrastructure and
development with the commercial viability of the registry.

We believe that there are key elements in the proposed
technical solution that cannot and should not be compromised.For JVTeam, the ability to deliver new
functionality and superior service to anyone,
anywhere and anytime has become an article of faith.

JVTeam was cognizant of the fact that the very significant
investment for this venture could only be recovered if it participated as an
operator/subcontractor over a number of TLD strings to ensure it had the volume
to match its cost structure. It was aware of the precedent that currently
exists with Network Solutions operating three TLD strings .com, .net and .org.

Businesses frequently struggle to find a balance between the
cost of producing a high quality service and the desire to deliver the lowest
possible price to the market. JVTeam has been able to achieve a solution for
the next generation domain name registry with enhanced functionality,
stability, security and reliability at a price point that is lower than
existing TLDs. Compromising the quality of the technical solution was simply
not an option as it has become abundantly clear that the future needs of the
Internet community can only be served through provision of a new registry
platform that incorporates the fat registry model.

Business Capabilities and Plan

JVTeam has developed a registry solution which incorporates
realistic business goals, thorough market analysis as well as comprehensive
financial and operational planning. The “Business Capabilities and Plan”
section of this proposal provides a detailed description of the business
decisions we have made and the reasoning behind those decisions.

To ensure global awareness of and participation in the new
top level domain, JVTeam is committed to a significant allocation of funds and
dedicated personnel for a pre-emptive marketing campaign. Several months prior
to the official launch of the new TLD, JVTeam will commission an extensive
product awareness exercise including strategic mass media buys and public
relations activities.

The business section of our proposal provides full details
of services to be provided by the registry. JVTeam’s suite of registry services
will provide the global community with access to the highest standards of
support, security and administration at a very competitive price. In addition,
these services will be provided in an entirely neutral and even-handed manner.
The JVTeam registry will maintain a tight customer focus in all of its
operations and will cultivate effective two-way communication between
registrars and the registry.

JVTeam recognizes the complexities raised by intellectual
property issues and will provide an Intellectual Property Notification Service
whereby interested parties are able to monitor registration of domains which
may infringe on their intellectual property concerns.

While the JVTeam registry is committed to success, we are
also cognizant of the fact that any successful business plan must take into
account both current and future risks. In this section the details of our
approach to risk management incorporating proven techniques for identifying,
analyzing and mitigating risks on an ongoing basis.

Technical Capabilities and Plan

JVTeam can offer comprehensive technical capabilities in
the areas of registry operation, software development, database management, and
standards development. These abilities are founded on extensive experience in
all areas related to technical service provision for a critical public
resource. JVTeam is the best choice to design, deliver and maintain the next generation
domain name registry.

JVTeam provides details of the our proposal for an
eXtensible Registry Protocol (XRP) and a fat registry model. Under this model,
the business relationships remain unchanged: registrants will still deal with
the registrar, and the registrars with the registry.The value of the proposed change in registry protocol lies in its
ability to solve many of the problems currently experienced on a daily basis by
both registrants and registrars and to facilitate the expansion of applications
and utilities for domain names at all levels.

Our technical solution also includes operation of diverse,
redundant, 24x7x365 data centers to ensure highest security and availability.
In addition, standard operating practice will involve meeting monthly service
level agreements (SLA) with associated penalties for non-performance. Our
trans-continental network infrastructure will ensure that exactly the same
levels of service and performance can be provided to end users regardless of
their geographic location.

Implementation

JVTeam is prepared through experience and commitment to meet
and exceed the requirements and objectives of the RFP and to deliver our
proposed solution on time and within budget. In Section IV, “Implementation”,
we demonstrate our extensive project management capability and experience.
Through our strong project leadership and experienced staff, JVTeam will ensure
project success.

The land rush component of this section describes our plans
for effectively managing the issues raised by the initial rush for domain
names. JVTeam is proposing a solution that ensures the moderated and impartial
allocation of names during this period.

As JVTeam was born from a strong heritage of quality
assurance, our approach to implementation encompasses the critical components
of quality management to ensure the highest level of performance is achieved.

Policy

JVTeam is conscious that the first round introduction of new
TLDs will provide vital information for the ongoing development of the
DNS.JVTeam also is aware that the
existing mechanisms and policies implemented by ICANN have, on the whole, been
very successful in maintaining the stability of the Internet. As such, the
policies and concepts being proposed by JVTeam have been developed with a view
to extending and enhancing the existing DNS environment in a measured,
even-handed manner.This approach does
not preclude innovation but rather it promotes the carefully considered,
responsible evolution of the DNS. With this in mind JVTeam’s proposal includes
introduction of the Uniform Charter Dispute Resolution Policy (UCDRP). This
incorporates some additions to the UDRP to incorporate a charter for intended
purpose domain name spaces.

The concepts being evaluated represent substantial,
incremental enhancements to the domain name system as well as solutions to
several pre-existing issues.The JVTeam
proposal is premised on paving the way for the stable growth of the domain name
system.

Conclusion

JVTeam shares ICANN’s mission to foster the measured
development of the DNS, to maintain its stability and to cultivate competition
in the marketplace. Competition is good for everyone.It makes us all stronger, more innovative, and more
creative.

JVTeam’s proposal is based on a rich understanding of the
needs of the global community. While our solution encompasses technological
innovation and comprehensive business planning, it is ultimately about giving
people more freedom and choice. We believe that we are building a registry
platform which will enable the domain name system to grow and to deliver the
services, products and information that are wanted and needed by the global
community.

For the domain name system, the next ten years of evolution
will be exhilarating, challenging and surprising. The information in this
proposal is a demonstration of how JVTeam will contribute positively to that
evolution by using all of the resources and knowledge at our disposal to
provide the next generation domain name registry.